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March 28, 2010

Herculodge Compares the Panasonic RF-888 with the RF-1108 (With Updates)

(Re-post)

I purchased a Panasonic RF-888 (the black, more stout radio on the right above; the 1108 is the taller gray model), a model from the early 1970s, a few months ago and it's a very good radio, huge speaker, silent background on AM, strong FM. Its tuning meter is operational, but being ontop and small it's hard to see. There's no static while tuning or changing volume. Update: The RF-888 is my official AM radio in my workout room. My esteem for this radio has continued to grow after a year.

Enter now a newer vintage, what appears to be a rare model from the early 1980s, the Panasonic RF-1108 Big Sound AM/FM/PSB radio. A side by side comparison for AM and FM proved to be virtually identical. Perhaps on AM I'd give a slight nod to the RF-888, but I feel I'm splitting hairs here. Speaker sound is virtually the same as both radios look like "Big Mouths." Update: A year later, my 1108 fluctuates on volume. Without warning, the volume will increase, then decrease, than increase again. It's now in storage.

I shouldn't be surprised that the 1108 has problems. I had a cheap build quality, nothing like the tank that is my beloved RF-888. The 1108 seems to be made of lesser, hollow plastic materials. But I won the bid for $54 plus $9 shipping. In contrast, the RF-888 cost me $220. I see the RF-888s bidding for half that much, but mine is mint.

I like the tuning meter on the 1108. It's in the front and big enough to see without squinting my eyes.

While both radios are top performers, I hate to say that the tuning meter is way too close to the red zone, struggling around the 3 or 4 mark with the strongest being 10, while fine tuning 103.1, the weakest FM station I regularly listen to.

Now here's the biggest revelation I received from today's comparison test. After being disappointed with the way both radios received the weak 103.1, I decided to try my Sony ICF-5900. I placed the 5900 on the kitchen table right where I had tested both the 888 and the 1108. Friends, listen carefully: The Sony ICF-5900 BURIED THE NEEDLE INTO THE 10, RECEIVING 103.1 WITH FULL POWER. So let's be clear: If you're going to spend around $200 on a vintage, you might want to get the 5900 over the 888.

I wasn't done with 103.1 yet. I put the 5900's smaller cousin, my ICF-5500, on the kitchen table, tuned to 103.1 and needle buried itself until it landed securely on the 9. Slightly less than the 5900, but I paid $80 for it.

Having done this comparison, I have a new esteem for my Sony models. But I wasn't ready to give up on my Panasonics. I took out my RF-1130, tuned to 103.1 and the needle hit the 9.5 mark, better than the 5500 but not as good as the 5900.

One more radio to go: My Panasonic RF-870, the one I bought for $80 with a broken antenna tip. I tuned to 103.1 and buried the needle on 10. That 870 didn't even need its full antenna!

Based on these tests, I'll probably sell the comparatively weak performers. What started out as a 2-radio comparison, ended as an FM vintage test. Yes, as a radiophile, I am a tyrant with my radios: Perform like a champion or be gone with you.